Pulaski County commissioners are concerned about the cost of replacing private road signs and who should be responsible for those costs.
Eastern District Commissioner Bill Farnham said the theft of private road signs causes the county to spend taxpayer money for replacements and use road and bridge manpower when that time and money could be better spent.
Farnham said it costs about $100 to replace a stolen road sign. Two private roads in the Dixon area have been consistent issues, Farnham said, with Colt Drive and Cardinal Road signs being repeatedly stolen.
“Road signs (are) a never-ending battle,” Farnham said. “The theft issue has always plagued the county; the cost issue has plagued the county.”
Farnham said the 911 center carries the responsibility for naming private roads and he does not understand why the county carries the financial burden when signs are stolen.
“I don't know what to do about it,” Farnham said. “Taking the time out to go fix signs is not the most important thing on our work schedule, even though it's a very important part of the job because of the safety issue involved.”
Farnham said when private road signs are stolen, it becomes difficult for emergency services to find the road when calls, such as 911 emergency, are made.
Presiding Commissioner Don McCulloch said the county should be responsible for only county roads and private roads should have an arrangement worked out with the ambulance district.
“I don't think we should be responsible for private roads,” McCulloch said.
McCulloch said one possible solution would be to number private roads instead of name them, which could stop the recurring thefts.
McCulloch said he would try to set an appointment with the ambulance district to further discuss the issue and try to find a solution.
“Something has got to change,” Farnham said.
In other business, the commission appointed Marilyn Phillips, of St. Robert, to the Pulaski County Library Board. Phillips will replace Jeff Mitchell, of Waynesville.
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Pulaski County commissioners are concerned about the cost of replacing private road signs and who should be responsible for those costs.
Eastern District Commissioner Bill Farnham said the theft of private road signs causes the county to spend taxpayer money for replacements and use road and bridge manpower when that time and money could be better spent.
Farnham said it costs about $100 to replace a stolen road sign. Two private roads in the Dixon area have been consistent issues, Farnham said, with Colt Drive and Cardinal Road signs being repeatedly stolen.
“Road signs (are) a never-ending battle,” Farnham said. “The theft issue has always plagued the county; the cost issue has plagued the county.”
Farnham said the 911 center carries the responsibility for naming private roads and he does not understand why the county carries the financial burden when signs are stolen.
“I don't know what to do about it,” Farnham said. “Taking the time out to go fix signs is not the most important thing on our work schedule, even though it's a very important part of the job because of the safety issue involved.”
Farnham said when private road signs are stolen, it becomes difficult for emergency services to find the road when calls, such as 911 emergency, are made.
Presiding Commissioner Don McCulloch said the county should be responsible for only county roads and private roads should have an arrangement worked out with the ambulance district.
“I don't think we should be responsible for private roads,” McCulloch said.
McCulloch said one possible solution would be to number private roads instead of name them, which could stop the recurring thefts.
McCulloch said he would try to set an appointment with the ambulance district to further discuss the issue and try to find a solution.
“Something has got to change,” Farnham said.
In other business, the commission appointed Marilyn Phillips, of St. Robert, to the Pulaski County Library Board. Phillips will replace Jeff Mitchell, of Waynesville.
